A new downtown headquarters is rarely a subject for historic preservation honors, but such is the story behind a gleaming glass tower designed by Carrier Johnson + CULTURE and led by Cisterra Development.
This month, the firm’s principal and sustainability director, Kevin L. Krumdieck, AIA, LEED AP-BD+C, will be honored alongside Paul Thometz, AIA, a project executive with Cisterra Development, with two awards for their collaborative work on the 16-story office complex. The honors include The People in Preservation Award, presented by Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), and by the city of San Diego’s annual preservation award.
Both awards recognize the “outstanding achievements” of Krumdieck and Thometz. “The jury was impressed with the care and detail given to the two historic buildings as part of the Sempra headquarters tower development,” according to Bruce Coons, executive director of the San Diego preservation group SOHO. “Retaining the two street facades of the Western Drug Store and restoration of the Bledsoe Company Furniture Building help enhance the sense of place of the Warehouse District.”
The development and design team preserved these landmarks and integrated them into a neighborhood-friendly, engaging urban design. The SOHO jury remarked positively about the restoration of the 1925 Bledsoe’ building’s original window locations, the vibrant repainting, and the removal of later stair additions. The jury also applauded the preservation of original steel window muntins and wood window trim on the Western Drug Store.
The 34th Annual People in Preservation Awards ceremony takes place Thursday, May 19, at 5:30pm at the Marston House Museum & Gardens. The city of San Diego’s presentation will be held Thursday, May 26th at 1:00pm during its Historic Resources Board meeting.
About CarrierJohnson + Culture
Carrier Johnson + CULTURE is a global architecture/design and strategy firm creating individualized solutions for clients in the residential, hospitality, retail, mixed-use, corporate, education, healthcare/science, and technology markets. Working in partnership with clients to provide innovative building, living, and communications solutions, Carrier Johnson creates unique three-dimensional opportunities for each situation. Established in 1977, the firm employs more than 80 staff professionals in its headquarters in San Diego and its Los Angeles office. For more information, visit www.carrierjohnson.com.